We adore Thee, Our Most Holy Lord, Jesus Christ, in all Thy churches which are in the
world, and we bless Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world, with
Mary.

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Prayer on Entering a Church
(where the Most Blessed Sacrament is reserved)

O Sacred Banquet in which Christ is recieved, the memory of His Passion is renewed, our
souls are filled with grace and a pledge of future glory is given to us!

V.: Thou has given them Bread from heaven!
R.: The Bread that has all sweetness within!

O God who in this wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of Thy Passion, grant we
beseech Thee, that we may so venerate the Sacred Mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as to
come to experience the Fruit of Thy redemption, who livest and reignest forever and ever.
Amen.

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The Praises of God Most Highby St. Francis of Assisi

Thou art the Holy Lord, the Only God, who works miracles (Ps. 76:15) Thou art strong,
Thou art great (cf. Ps 85:10), Thou are the Most High, Thou art King Eternal, Thou Holy
Father (cf. Jn 17:11) King of Heaven and earth. (Mt 11:25)

This is the day which the Lord has made, let us exult and rejoice in it. (Ps. 117:24)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! King of Israel! (John 12:13)

Every spirit praise the Lord. (Ps. 150:6) Praise the Lord, since He is Good. (Ps.
146:1) All you who read this, bless the Lord. (Ps. 102:21)

All you creatures bless the Lord. (cf. Ps. 102:22) All you birds of heaven praise the
Lord. (Dan 3:90; cf. Ps 148:7-10) All you children praise the Lord. (cf Ps 112:1) You
youths and virgins praise God (cf. Ps 148:12)

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive praise, glory and honor (cf. Apoc 5:12).

Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity.

St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle.

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The Exposition of the Our
Fatherby St. Francis of Assisi

O Most Holy Our Father: Creator, Redeemer,
Consoler and Our Savior.

Who art in Heaven: in the Angels and in the
Saints; enlightening them unto knowledge, since Thou, Lord, art Light; inflaming them unto
love, since Thou, Lord, art Love; indwelling and filling them unto blessedness, since
Thou, Lord, art the Highest, the Eternal Good, from whom is all good, without whom nothing
is good.

Hallowed be Thy Name: may the knowledge of
Thee in us be made bright, so that we may know, what is the breadth (cf. Eph 3:18) of Thy
kindnesses, the length of Thy promises, the sublimity of Thy Majesty and the depth of Thy
judgments.

Thy Kingdom come: so that Thou may reignest
in us by grace and makes us come unto Thy Kingdom, where vision of Thee is made manifest,
love of Thee made perfect, company with Thee blessed, enjoyment of Thee everlasting.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven:
so that we may love Thee with our whole heart (cf. Lk 10:27) thinking of Thee always, with
our whole soul desiring Thee always, with our whole mind directing unto Thee all our
intentions, seeking Thy honor in all things and with all our strength expending our every
strength and sense of soul and body in submission to Thy love and nothing else; and may we
love our neighbors as ourselves drawing all to Thy love to the extent of our abilities,
rejoicing over the good things of others just as over our own and compassionating them in
evils and giving offense to no one (cf. 2 Cor 6:3).

Give us this day, Thy beloved Son, Our Lord
Jesus Christ, our daily bread: to remember and
understand and reverence the love which He had for us , and those things, which He did,
said or endured for us.

And forgive us our debts: by Thy ineffable
mercy, through the virtue of the Passion of Thy beloved Son and by the merits and
intercession of the Blessed Virgin and all Thy elect.

As we forgive our debtors: and what we do
not fully forgive, may Thou, Lord, make us, fully forgive, so that we may truly love our
enemies for the sake of Thee and intercede devoutly for them with Thee, returning to none
evil for evil (cf. 1 Thes 5:15) and striving to advance all unto Thee.

And lead us not into temptation: hidden or
manifest, sudden or importune.

But deliver us from evil: past, present, and
future.

Glory to the Father, ....

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A Prayer before a crucifixby St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, glorious God, enlighten the shadows of my heart, and grant unto me a right
faith, a certain hope and perfect charity, sense and understanding, Lord, so that I may
accomplish Thy holy and true command.

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A Salutation
to the Blessed Virgin Maryby St. Francis of Assisi

Hail Lady, Holy Queen, Holy Mary Theotokos,1 who
art the Virgin made church and the One elect by the Most Holy Father of Heaven, whom He
consecrated with His Most Holy beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; Thou
in whom was and is all fulness of grace and every good.

Hail His Palace;
Hail His Tabernacle;
Hail His Home.

Hail His Vestment;
Hail His Handmaid;
Hail His Mother
And hail all you holy virtues, which through the grace and illumination of the Holy Spirit
are infused into the hearts of the faithful, so that from those unfaithful you make them
faithful to God.

1While St. Francis uses the phrase "Dei
genitrix" here, which is usually translated as "Mother of God"
in English, "Theotokos" has been chosen instead since this is an exact
and familiar equivalent of the latin phrase, and in fact is the term of which the latin is
itself the translation.

Most holy virtues, the Lord salute all of you, He from whom you come and proceed.
There is scarcely a man in all the world, who can have one of you, before he dies.
He who has one and offends not the others, has all.
And he who offends one, has none and offends all. (cf. Jm 2:10)
And any whatsoever confounds vices and sins.

Holy Wisdom confounds Satan and all his wickednesses.
Pure Holy Simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world (cf. 1 Cor. 2:6) and the
wisdom of the body.
Holy Poverty confounds cupidity and avarice and the cares of this world.
Holy Humility confounds pride and all the men, who are in the world, and likewise all the
things, which are in the world.
Holy Charity confounds all the diabolic and carnal temptations and all carnal fears.
Holy Obedience confounds all things corporal both carnal and one's own willings and holds
the body mortified in obedience to the spirit and in obedience to one's brother and is
subject and submissive to all the men, who are in the world and not only to men, but even
to all the beasts and wildlife, so that they might do with him, whatever they will, as
much as it will have been given them from above by the Lord (cf. Jn 19:11).

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The Canticle of Brother Sonby St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, Omnipotent, Good Lord,
Thine be the praises, the glory, and the honor and every
blessing (cf. Apoc. 4:9.11)
To Thee alone, Most High, to they belong.
and no man is worthy to mention Thee.
May Thou be praised, my Lord, with all Thy creatures, (cf. Tob. 8:7)
especially mister brother sun.
of whom is the day, and Thou enlightens us through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant with a great spendor,
of Thee, Most High, does he convey the meaning.
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars, (cf. Ps. 148:3)
in heaven Thou has made them clear and precious and
beautiful.
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for brother wind,
and for the air and clouds and clear weather and every
weather, (cf. Dan 3:64-65)
through which to all Thy creatures Thou gives sustenance.
(cf. Ps. 103:13-14)
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for sister water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
May Thou be praised, my lord, for brother fire (cf. Dan 3:66),
through whom Thou illumines the night,
and he is beautiful and glad and robust and strong.
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for our sister, mother earth, (cf Dan 3:74)
who sustains us and governs,.
and produces various fruits, colored flowers and green
plants. (cf Ps 103:13-14)
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for those who forgive for the sake of Thy love, (cf. Mt
6:12)
and endure infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed those who endure them in peace, (cf. Mt 5:10)
because by Thee, Most High, will they be crowned.
May Thou be praised, my Lord, for our sister, bodily death,
whom no man living can escape.
Woe to those, who die in mortal sin,
blessed those whom it will find in Thy most holy desires,
because the second death will do them no evil. (cf. Apoc
2:11;20:6)
Praise and bless my Lord, (cf. Dan 3:85)
and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility!

This translation is based upon the original italian text, with
reference to the latin translation by Fr. K Esser, OFM

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Prayer
for Final Perseveranceby St. Francis of Assisi

Omnipotent, Eternal, just and merciful God, grant to us wretches
that doing for Thy sake, what we know Thou wants, and always wanting, what pleases Thee,
as ones interiorly cleansed, interiorly illumined and inflamed with the fire of the Holy
Spirit, we might follow the footsteps of Thy Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and
attain to Thee, Most High, by Thy grace alone, who in perfect Trinity and simple Unity
lives and reigns and is glorified as the Omnipotent God, for all the ages of ages. Amen.

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Praises to be
said at every hourby St. Francis of Assisi

Here begin the praises which our most blessed Father Francis
ordained and himself said at every hour of the day and night and before the Office of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning thus: Most Holy, Our Father
who art in heaven, etc..with the Glory be.Then the praises are to be
said:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who
is and who was and who is to come (cf Apoc 4:8) : And let us praise and
exalt Him above all throughout the ages.Worthy are Thee, Our Lord God, to accept praise, glory and
honor, and blessing (cf Apoc 4:11) : And let us praise and exalt Him above
all throughout the ages.Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to accept virtue and
riches1 and wisdom and fortitude and honor and glory and blessing (Apoc
5:12) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout
the ages.Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit : And
let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.
All you works of the Lord bless the Lord (Dan 3:57) : And let us praise and exalt
Him above all throughout the ages.Recite praise to Our God all you His servants and you who fear God,
tiny and great (cf Apoc 19:5) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all
throughout the ages.Praise Him the Glorious One you heavens and earth (cf Ps 68:35; Ps
Rom) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.And every creature, which is in Heaven and on the
earth and which is beneath the earth and the sea and those which are in it
(cf Apoc 5:13) : And let us praise and exalt Him above all
throughout the ages.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit : And let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be always and unto the
ages of ages. AmenAnd let us praise and exalt Him above all throughout the ages.

Prayer

Omnipotent, Most Holy, Most High, and Highest God, all good,
highest Good, wholely good, who alone is good (cf Lk 18:19), to Thee do we render all
praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing and all goods. So be it. So be it.
Amen.

1"Divinity" is the litteral rendering of the Vulgate here, which however differs from the
Greek text, which has "riches." [pluton]In fact in classical
usage, "riches" [divitia] and "divinity" [divinitas]
were often exhanged in Latin (and similarly in Greek) on account of the close association
of the God of wealth [Dives / Pluto] with the nature of Divinity in itself; perhaps the
most literal translation would be "the riches of divinity," that is the
divine glory which the Son of God forsook, for a time, in becoming the Son of Mary, and
with which the Father again glorified Him in His Resurrection.

Prayer for imitating St. FrancisCollect from St. Francis' Feast Day, October 4th

O God, who increase Thy Church with the merits of blessed
Francis by the heavenly birth of this Thy newborn: grant unto us, that through imitating
him we may dispise earthly goods and always rejoice in the participation in Thy heavenly
gifts. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns God forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer
asking God
for St. Francis' intercessionCollect for the Feast of St. Francis' Stigmata, September 17th

O Lord Jesus Christ, who, when the world was growing cold, did renew in the flesh of
the most blessed Francis the sacred stigmata of Thy Passion, in order to inflame our
hearts with the fire of Thy love, graciously grant unto us, that yoked to his merits and
prayers we may bear the Cross, and bring forth fruits worthy of penance: You who live and
reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer asking for
Mary's Intercessionby St. Francis of Assisi

Holy Virgin Mary, there is no one like Thee born in the world among women,
Daughter and Handmaid of the Most Highest King, the Heavenly Father,
Mother of Our Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
Spouse of the Holy Spirit:

Pray for us with St. Michael the Archangel
and all the powers of Heaven and all the Saints
before Thy Most Holy and Beloved Son, the Lord and Master.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, ...

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Dies Iraeby Bl. Thomas of Celano, St. Francis' First Biographer

Introduction

The Dies Irae is commonly attributed to the authorship of Friar Thomas of Celano,
author of the First and Second Life of Saint Francis. It is a hymn of singular awe and
piety. It is customarily sung as part of the Requiem Mass, the mass said for the repose of
the deceased. It is also said by thirds during the canonical hours on days commemorating
the dead.

The date of composition is the mid thirteenth century.

The hymn is a meditation on the Last Jugement, when Christ will come again in glory,
no longer granting mercy, but as the Just Judge who will separate the just from the
wicked, casting the latter into eternal fire, and welcoming the former to eternal bliss.
The hymn closes with a supplication for mercy before the coming of that terrible day.

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A Spiritual CommunionBy St. Conrad of Parzham

I have come to spend a few moments with Thee, O Jesus, and in
spirit I prostrate myself in the dust before Thy Holy Tabernacle to adore Thee, my Lord
and God, in deepest humiliy. Once more a day has come to its close, dear Jesus, another
day which brings me nearer to the grave and my beloved heavenly home. Once more, O Jesus,
my heart longs for Thee, the true Bread of Life, which containes all sweetness and relish.
O my Jesus, mercifully grant me pardon for the faults and ingratitutde of this day, and
come to me to refresh my poor heart which longs for Thee. As the heart pants for the
waters, as the parched earth longs for the dew of heaven, even so does my poor heart long
for Thee, Thou Fount of Life. I love Thee, O Jesus, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and out
of love for Thee I regret sincerely all my sins. May Thy peace and Thy benediction be mine
now and always and for all eternity. Amen.

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Resolutions of a
NoviceBy St. Conrad of Parzham

Resolutions taken with great deliberation and full confidence in the assistance of
Jesus and Mary to help me keep them.

1. I will strive earnestly to form the habit of always placing myself in the presence
of God and of often asking myself: Would I do this or that if my confessor or my superior
were observing me, and especially in the presence of God and my guardian angel?

2. I will often ask myself when crosses and pain come upon me: Conrad, why are you
here?

3. I will avoid as much as possible going out of the monastery, unless love of neighbor
or obedience or health demand it, or for some other good reason.

4. I will earnestly strive to preserve brotherly charity in myself and in others. I
will be careful never to utter a word against charity. I will patiently bear with the
faults, defects and weaknesses of others and as far as possible I will cover them with the
mantle of charity, whenever there is no obligation to reveal them to one who has the power
to correct them.

5. I will carefully observe silence as much as possible. I will always be sparing of my
words in conversation and thereby avoid many faults and be able to converse the better
with God.

6. At table I will always place myself in the presence of God and conduct myself with
great reserve, denying myself those dishes that I would relish most and practising
especially those mortifications which are least noticeable. Outside of mealtime I will
take no food unless comanded by holy obedience.

7. I will always go to the choir immediately when the signal is given, if not otherwise
prevented.

8. I will avoid association with persons of the other sex as much as possible, unless
obedience imposes on me a duty which requires association with them. In that case I will
be very serious and keep my eyes in strict control.

9. I will always practise obedience exactly and punctually, and will strive
praticularly to conquer my own will in all things.

10. I will earnestly try to be faithful even in small matters and abhor every voluntary
imperfection. I will scrupulously observe the Holy Rule and never depart from it by even a
hair's breadth, no matter what happens.

11. I will ever strive to cultivate a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and
endeavor to imitate Her virtues

The Franciscan Archive wished to thank the Very Rev. Joseph
Anthony, O.M. Cap. and the Rev. Andrew Neufeld, O. M. Cap, author and translator
respectively of "Blessed Conrad of Parzham," St. Bonaventure's Monastery,
Detroit, MI, USA, 1932, for these texts.

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Prayer after
Communionby St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, Doctor of the Church

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most
joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic
charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee,
may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant
that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls,
our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful
taste. May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look
upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst
for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of widsom and knowledge, the fountain of
eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fulness of the house of God; may it ever
compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak
of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion,
with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverence to the end; and be Thou
alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my
rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help,
my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be
ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to
the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the
sword had pass'd.
Oh, how sad and sore distress'd Was that Mother highly blest Of the sole-begotten One !
Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep, Whelm'd in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to
behold ?
Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother's pain untold?
Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd, She beheld her tender child All with bloody scourges
rent.
For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent.
O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above; Make my heart with thine accord.
Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ our
Lord.
Holy Mother! pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Saviour crucified.
Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments
died.
Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him who mourn'd for me, All the days that I may
live.
By the cross with thee to stay, There with thee to weep and pray, Is all I ask of thee to
give.
Virgin of all virgins best, Listen to my fond request Let me share thy grief divine.
Let me, to my latest breath, In my body bear the death Of that dying Son of thine.
Wounded with His every wound, Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd In His very blood away.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Lest in flames I burn and die, In His awful Judgment day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, Be Thy Mother my defence, Be Thy cross my victory.
While my body here decays, May my soul Thy goodness praise, Safe in Paradise with Thee.
Amen.

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An Act
of Total Consecration
to the Immaculate VirginBy St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe

O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and earth, Refuge of sinners and Our most loving Mother,
to whom God willed to entrust the entire order of Mercy, I, an unworthy sinner, cast
myself at Your feet, humbly begging You to be so good as to accept me wholly and
completely as Your possession and property, and to do with me and with all my powers of
soul and body, with my whole life, death, and eternity, whatever pleases You.

If it pleases You, use my whole self without reserve to accomplish what has been said
of You: "She will crush your head" (Genesis 3:15), and also: "You alone
have destroyed all heresies in the whole world" (Little Office of the Blessed Virgin
Mary), so that I may become a useful instrument in Your immaculate and most merciful hands
for promoting and increasing Your glory to the maximum in so many strayed and indifferent
souls, and thus extend as much as possible the blessed Kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of
Jesus.

For, wherever You enter, You obtain the grace of conversion and sanctification, since
it is through Your hands that all grace comes to us from the Most Sweet Heart of Jesus.

A Rule of Life for Those
Consecrated to the Immaculate VirginBy St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe

1. It is my duty to be a saint and a great saint.

2. For the glory of God, I must save myself and all souls, present and future, through
the Immaculate.

3. Before anything else flee not only from mortal but also from deliberate venial sin.

4. Do not permit: a. that evil remain without reparation and destruction; or b. that
good be without fruit or increase.

5. Let your rule be obedience_the will of God through the Immaculate_I am nothing but
an instrument.

6. Think of what you are doing. Do not be concerned about anything else, whether bad or
good.

7. Preserve order, and order will preserve you.

8. Peaceful and benevolent action.

9. PreparationActionConclusion.

10. Remember that you belong exclusively, unconditionally, absolutely, irrevocably to
the Immaculate: Whoever you are, whatever you have or can, whatever you do (thoughts,
words, action) and endure (pleasant, unpleasant, indifferent things) belong to the
Immaculate. Consequently, may she dispose of them according to Her will (and not yours).
In the same way it belongs to Her all your intentions; therefore, may she transform them,
add others, take them away, as She likes (in fact, She does not offend justice).

You are an instrument in Her hand, therefore do only what She wants; accept everything
like a child to his own mother, trust Her in everything.Take an interest about Her, Her
veneration, Her things and let Her take care of you and your loved ones. Recognize that
everything you have comes from Her and nothing from you. All the fruits of your activities
depend on the union with Her, in the same way as She is an instrument of the divine mercy.

O Immaculate, my life (every moment of it), my death (where, when and how) and my
eternity belongs totally to you. Of everything You do whatever You like.

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THE OATH AGAINST
MODERNISMGiven by His Holiness St. Pius X, Third Order of St. Francis

I N. firmly embrace and accept each and every definition that
has been set forth and declared by the unerring teaching authority of the Church,
especially those principal truths which are directly opposed to the errors of this day.
And first of all, I profess that God, the origin and end of all things, can be known with
certainty by the natural light of reason from the created world (cf. Rom. 1:90), that is,
from the visible works of creation, as a cause from its effects, and that, therefore, his
existence can also be demonstrated: Secondly, I accept and acknowledge the external proofs
of revelation, that is, divine acts and especially miracles and prophecies as the surest
signs of the divine origin of the Christian religion and I hold that these same proofs are
well adapted to the understanding of all eras and all men, even of this time. Thirdly, I
believe with equally firm faith that the Church, the guardian and teacher of the revealed
word, was personally instituted by the real and historical Christ when he lived among us,
and that the Church was built upon Peter, the prince of the apostolic hierarchy, and his
successors for the duration of time. Fourthly, I sincerely hold that the doctrine of faith
was handed down to us from the apostles through the orthodox Fathers in exactly the same
meaning and always in the same purport. Therefore, I entirely reject the heretical'
misrepresentation that dogmas evolve and change from one meaning to another different from
the one which the Church held previously. I also condemn every error according to which,
in place of the divine deposit which has been given to the spouse of Christ to be
carefully guarded by her, there is put a philosophical figment or product of a human
conscience that has gradually been developed by human effort and will continue to develop
indefinitely. Fifthly, I hold with certainty and sincerely confess that faith is not a
blind sentiment of religion welling up from the depths of the subconscious under the
impulse of the heart and the motion of a will trained to morality; but faith is a genuine
assent of the intellect to truth received by hearing from an external source. By this
assent, because of the authority of the supremely truthful God, we believe to be true that
which has been revealed and attested to by a personal God, our Creator and Lord.

Furthermore, with due reverence, I submit and adhere with my whole heart to the
condemnations, declarations, and all the prescripts contained in the encyclical Pascendi
and in the decree Lamentabili, especially those concerning what is known as the history of
dogmas. I also reject the error of those who say that the faith held by the Church can
contradict history, and that Catholic dogmas, in the sense in which they are now
understood, are irreconcilable with a more realistic view of the origins of the Christian
religion. I also condemn and reject the opinion of those who say that a well-educated
Christian assumes a dual personality-that of a believer and at the same time of a
historian, as if it were permissible for a historian to hold things that contradict the
faith of the believer, or to establish premises which, provided there be no direct denial
of dogmas, would lead to the conclusion that dogmas are either false or doubtful.
Likewise, I reject that method of judging and interpreting Sacred Scripture which,
departing from the tradition of the Church, the analogy of faith, and the norms of the
Apostolic See, embraces the misrepresentations of the rationalists and with no prudence or
restraint adopts textual criticism as the one and supreme norm. Furthermore, I reject the
opinion of those who hold that a professor lecturing or writing on a historico-theological
subject should first put aside any preconceived opinion about the supernatural origin of
Catholic tradition or about the divine promise of help to preserve all revealed truth
forever; and that they should then interpret the writings of each of the Fathers solely by
scientific principles, excluding all sacred authority, and with the same liberty of
judgment that is common in the investigation of all ordinary historical documents.

Finally, I declare that I am completely opposed to the error of the modernists who hold
that there is nothing divine in sacred tradition; or what is far worse, say that there is,
but in a pantheistic sense, with the result that there would remain nothing but this plain
simple fact-one to be put on a par with the ordinary facts of history-the fact, namely,
that a group of men by their own labor, skill, and talent have continued through
subsequent ages a school begun by Christ and his apostles. I firmly hold, then, and shall
hold to my dying breath the belief of the Fathers in the charism of truth, which certainly
is, was, and always will be in the succession of the episcopacy from the apostles. The
purpose of this is, then, not that dogma may be tailored according to what seems better
and more suited to the culture of each age; rather, that the absolute and immutable truth
preached by the apostles from the beginning may never be believed to be different, may
never be understood in any other way. I promise that I shall keep all these articles
faithfully, entirely, and sincerely, and guard them inviolate, in no way deviating from
them in teaching or in any way in word or in writing. Thus I promise, this I swear, so
help me God. . .

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The Franciscan Crown
(The Rosary of Our Lady's Seven Joys)

Say the Rosary in this manner: Recite 1 Our Father, and 2 Hail Mary's. Then for each of
the Seven Decades, recite the Mystery, 1 Our Father and 10 Haily Mary's, followed by the
Glory be.. At the end of the Seventh Decade, two more Hail Mary's are said.

The Seven Mysteries are the Seven Joys of Our Lady:

1) the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Nazareth.

2) the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth.

3) the Birth of Jesus Christ in the grotto of Bethlehem.

4) the Adoration of the Child Jesus by the Three Holy Magi

5) the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple by the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph

6) the Ressurection of Our Lord on Easter Morning

7) the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

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The Way of the Cross

1.Christ is unjustly condemned to death by Pontius Pilate
2.Jesus takes up the Cross for our salvation
3.Jesus falls the first time
4.Jesus meets His Blessed Mother
5.Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the Cross behind Jesus
6.Christ's face is wiped by Veronica
7.Jesus falls a second time
8.Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9.Jesus falls a third time
10.The soldiers strip Christ of His garments;
11.Jesus is crucified
12.Jesus dies on the Cross;
13.Jesus' Body is taken down from the cross and laid in the arms of His Mother, who offers
Him to the Eternal Father.
14.Jesus is laid in the tomb.

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A Spiritual Communion,
with Mary

O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of God and Mediatrix of every grace: I
believe that Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly, really, and
substantially contained in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Him above all things and I
long to receive Him into my heart. Since I cannot now receive Him sacramentally, be so
good as to place Him spiritually in my soul.

O my Jesus, I embrace Thee as One who has already come, and I unite myself entirely to
Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

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Prayer for the Restoration
and Unity of Holy Mother Church

O Immaculate Mother of God and Our Mother, Mediatrix of every grace and Corredemptrix
of mankind: as Thou didst gaze upon Thy Most Beloved Son, filled with suffering and
ignominy upon His Holy Cross, on account of His most tender and loving compassion for us
poor sinners, deign in Thy great Maternal sollicitude for us Thy children, to obtain from
Him every grace and mercy, so that fortified in the unity of the One True Faith and
restored to the bonds of charity and authentic worship, His Virgin Bride, Our Mother the
Church, may once again offer to the Eternal Father, through the ministry of His sacred
Priests, the holy, immaculate, and pure offering of His Body and Blood, in propitiation
for our sins and those of the whole world. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Michael the
Archangelby Pope Leo XIII

Translated from the Latin Text found in the Rituale Romanum

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, Saint Michael the
Archangel, defend us in battle and in the stuggle, which is ours against the princes and
powers, against the rulers of the world of these shadows, against the spiritual beings of
worthlessness, in the heavens. Come to the aid of men, whom God created inextinguishable,
and made to the image of His own likness, and bought from the tyranny of the devil at a
great price. Fight today the battles of the Lord with the army of the blessed Angels, as
thou did fight against lucifer, the leader of pride, and all his apostate angels: and
indeed they did not prevail, nor was their place found any more in Heaven. But that great
dragon was cast forth, the ancient serpent, who is caled the devil and satan, who seduces
the whole globe; and he was cast forth upon Earth, and his angels were sent with him.

Lo! the ancient enemy and homicide has been fiercly aroused.
Transfigured into an angel of light, with the whole troop of malign spirits he entirely
surrounds and invades the Earth, to blot out in it the Name of God and of His Christ, and
to steal, slay, and destroy in sempiternal ruin, the souls destined for a crown of eternal
glory. The venom of his worthlessness, as the most unclean river, the evil-doing dragon
pours into men depraved in mind and corrupt in heart; a spirit of lying, impiety and
blasphemy; and a breath of mortiferous luxury, of all vices and intiquities.

Be favorable to the Church, the spouse of the Immacluate Lamb, whom
enemies have filled with bitternesses, and inebriated with wormwood; upon all Her
desireable things they have layed their impious hands. Where the See of the most blessed
Peter and the Cathedra of Truth has been constituted as a light to the nations, there they
have placed a throne of their abomination and impiety; so that with the Pastor struck,
they may prevail to disperse the flock.

Therefore be present, most unconquered Leader, against the
spiritual worthlessnesses bursting upon the people of God, and bring about a victory. Thou
are venerated by Holy Church as Her guard and patron; Thou are glorified as the defender
against the nefarious, earthly and infernal powers; to thee the Lord has handed over the
souls of the redemed to be placed in supernal felicity. Entreat the God of peace, to
obliterate satan beneath our feet, lest he prevail further to hold men captive, and to
injure the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercies of
the Lord may swiftly overcome us, and apprehend the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is
the devil and satan, and send him bound into the abyss, so that he may no more seduce the
nations. Henceforth having been confided to thy escort and protection, we sacred ministers
by our authority [if recited by a layman, or cleric who has not yet
taken up the order of exorcist, say instead, "by the authority of Holy Mother
Church], trusting and fearless in the Name of Jesus Christ,
Our God and Lord, we undertake to repell the infestations of diabolic deceit.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, fly adverse parties.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, has conquered.

V. Let Thy mercy be upon us Lord.
R. As much as we hope in Thee.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

[if recited by at least a deacon add the following:

V. The Lord be with you all.
R. And with thy spirit.]

Let us pray.

O God, and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy Name, and as supplicants
we implore Thy clemency so that, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate
ever-Virgin Theotokos, of blessed Michael the Archangel, of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of
the same blessed Virgin, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints,
Thou may deign to offer us aid against satan, and all the other unclean spirits, who
wander through the world to injure the human race and to destroy souls. We ask this
through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Joseph
(to be said after the Rosary)
by Pope Leo XIII

We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy
most blessed Spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that,
mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God,
and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt loving
watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful
intercession help us in our urgent need. Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family,
protect the chosen race of Jeuss Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest
of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in heaven, most powerful protector, graciously
come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst
deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God
from the snares of Her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy
keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live
holily, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of heaven. Amen.

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Prayer to the Holy Spirit
(before meditation)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy
love.

V..: Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall created, R.: And Thou shalt renew the face of
the earth.

Let us pray:

O God, who didst by the light of the Holy Spirit enlighten the faithful, grant that by
the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ,
Our Lord. Amen.

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A Prayer of Repentance

O Almighty, Eternal, Most Just and Merciful God, I prostrate myself before Thy Face,
humbly beseeching Thee, who alone are Good, all good, wholly good, ever Good, that
remembering the most bitter Passion and Death of Thy Only-Begotten Son, and the most
sorrowful compassion of His Immaculate Mother, Thou wouldst deign to look with an eye of
pity upon this most wretched of Thy creatures.

So many treasures of nature Thou hast given me and consoled me with, and I have not
heeded Thy Word and commands. So many blessings of grace Thou hast lavished upon me, and I
have squandered them in vice and iniqitious selfishness. So bountiful has been Thy mercies
of forgiveness and pardon to me, and I have rebelled and betrayed Thee yet again.

Truly, am I not worthy of Thy consideration ; nay rather, do I deserve eternal
damnation. Even the troubles, sacrifices, and difficulites of a thousand most bitter
lifetimes are not sufficent to atone for my wickedness. Truly am I worthy, not of Thee,
but of hell alone, of damnation and eternal torments. Yet I, like and inpudent swine, do
still complain and murmur.

Daring not to raise my eyes unto Thee, who are infinite Goodness and most exacting
Justice, I beseech Thee, through the merits of the Passion and Death of Thy Most Beloved
Son, who for mysake became a slave unto death, death on a Cross, upon which in the last
moments of His most bitter agony, He didst bestow upon me His own most Beloved Mother, Thy
Daughter by grace and election. In virtue of Their merits, by which I have been so many
times succored in my great necessities, I beseech Thee hear this my petition.

Have mercy upon me! Have great mercy upon me! For without Thee I can do nothing worthy
of Thy consideration. I who am nothing, and by sin even less than nothing. A wretch, a
swine, a cesspool of every vice and inquity!

Therefore I beseech Thee, O Most Blessed Trinity, to shed the fire of Thy merciful love
upon this most frigid heart, to let shine upon this most darkened mind, the light of the
Son, in whom alone is every grace and truth. Have pity on me, most Merciful God, and
regard not my sins and offenses, but in Thy mercy forgive me yet again, and grant me the
graces to serve Thee now in fidelity and truth.

I am not worthy to serve Thee, but Thou dost deserve all my service. In the Name of
Jesus, Thy Mercy, therefore, I beseech Thee. In the name of Mary, I pray. Amen.

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This Franciscan Prayerbook has been released to the public domain by
the Franciscan-Archive.